In 2011, the MWRD completed the Lower Des Plaines River Detailed Watershed Plan (DWP) to identify stormwater related problems and develop alternative solutions to regional flooding issues. Several alternatives were developed for the Addison Creek sub watershed. The Addison Creek Reservoir and Channel Improvements were the most beneficial and cost-effective solutions to address overbank flooding along Addison Creek.
Intergovernmental Collaboration
Several entities were involved during the planning of the project. The MWRD worked closely on the design of the reservoir and channel improvements with Northlake, Melrose Park, Stone Park, Bellwood, Westchester, Broadview, the Illinois Department of Transportation, various railroads and several utility companies. The MWRD was required to obtain permits and approvals from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Soil and Water Conservation District and Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The MWRD and Bellwood have an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for the construction and perpetual maintenance of the Addison Creek Reservoir Project. The IGA stipulates that the MWRD was to design and construct the reservoir, and the Village of Bellwood and MWRD will share the maintenance responsibilities of the reservoir. The MWRD has also entered into IGAs for the construction and perpetual maintenance for the Addison Creek Channel Improvements Project. The IGAs stipulate that MWRD will design and construct the channel improvements, and the six benefiting communities will be responsible for the long-term maintenance of the channel improvements within their communities.
Benefits
Of the 2,200 properties that will benefit from reduced overbank flooding, it is estimated that 1,700 properties will be removed from the floodplain, and the projects will provide approximately $116 million in flood benefits. When the channel improvements project is completed, the MWRD will submit a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Upon approval of the LOMR, some property owners may be eligible to obtain lower cost premiums on their annual flood insurance policies.
Construction and Status
Construction of the Addison Creek Reservoir started in 2019 and was completed in 2023. The construction for the Addison Creek Channel improvements began in summer of 2023, with anticipated completion in summer 2026. Flood reduction benefits will be fully achieved when both projects are completed. The MWRD was able to advance these projects thanks to critical funding from several partners. The reservoir received a $5 million grant from the Cook County Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program via the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The channel improvements received a $9.9 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Addison Creek Reservoir and Channel Improvements Map
